I flew the 320 for 10 years, it is absolutely the easiest airplane I have ever flown.

 

I'm way too new to be worrying! You give me too much credit, I wouldn't even know what's Jr or Sr, done more flying in the Stans for a while. Thanks for the help.

 

...My observations based on the above:
1 - ATL has so many 88 flights in and out and is such a big hub that you end up doing a lot of "little" trips that as a commuter, aren't really fun. I always hated sitting short call with one day available and get called to DH to BHM then fly in to ATL.
2 - CVG is such a small base with little mainline (let alone 88 flying) that they can't use you in the capacity that I described above. Plus I work weekdays on RSV so there are generally less sick calls to cover (guess that's why I've flown 40 hours this summer)...

Really helpful information guys, thanks so much. MSP is actually the easiest commute for me from the west coast, and I know the midwestern peeps are cool, tho frozen. There's a lot to learn, especially if you might have to choose up front... Looking forward to the work.

 

Hi, I have a hypothetical airplane/base question. Let's say I want a base in "ABC" while I am on reserve, but once a line holder I would like a base in "XYZ" for commuting reasons. Aircraft 1 would probably give me the best QOL at ABC, but that aircraft does not have a base at XYZ. Would I be better off choosing an aircraft that is available at both bases so that I can transition more easily from one base to another, or do you think it doesn't matter because it is not that difficult to bid over to another aircraft when necessary (or it will be so long before I become a line holder that it really won't matter for awhile Any input would be much appreciated! Thank you.

 

You are not seat locked as a newhire, so bid anything you want... Once you make a change, you have a 2 year freeze on moves (unless it is a new aircraft/base combo). (info valid for DAL only, can't speak for airlines)

Training is a part of airline life, so I would bid to the base that you will be most comfortable in as a reserve.

Getting the base you want as a lineholder will come later, bid for now and the near future, don't bid an a/c on the hopes of "later".

 

Brocc-
That's really a matter of personal preference.
There's no freeze on new hire initial assignments so you are free to move whenever an opening exists at a different base or on a different aircraft.

Define "transition more easily" and "not that difficult".

It really comes down to whether you mind studying a new jet and going to the schoolhouse for 4-6 weeks. Some guys go there regularly and don't mind it at all. Its a cakewalk, even fun.
Some guys hate going there. They can do it OK, but its stressful and no fun.

In my observation, the older you are, the less tolerance you have for training.

 

Thank you for the advice. I think bid for the now and not worry too much about later is good advice. And I was talking about Delta specifically.

As far as defining "easily" and "difficult" I actually was talking more along the lines of how often Delta will allow you to switch aircraft (2 year freeze after 2nd aircraft answered that question partially) and I was also talking about if they run new bids frequently. For example, at my current (soon to be former) airline they went quite awhile without running a new award so everyone that was on one aircraft was stuck on that and everyone on the other aircraft was stuck on that until we saw movement, which lasted a couple years +. So I was not sure if sometimes years go by without opportunities to bid over to other aircraft at Delta.

Thank you

 

Yes. Things can definitely stagnate. Even go backwards.
You can absolutely get stuck in a category for long periods.
It has happened in the past and almost certainly will in the future.

Your guess is as good as anyone else's on predicting the US and global economy, war, terrorism, oil prices, etc.

 

....................................

 

I would really consider doing yourself and your family a favor and not commuting. Go ahead and bit the bullet and move to one of the larger hubs. Delta is always going to be a Eastern Airline. I was a long term west coast guy. Moving east was the best thing we did.
Commuting as we know it today is only going to get harder. It is also hanging by a thread. If there is one more major accident where one of the pilots had a horrible commute nothing is going to stop a flood of regulations that will follow.